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Social Democrats higher education spokesperson Jen Cummins has criticised the Government’s newly published National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026–2035, warning that it fails to address the core issue facing students and families which is the spiralling cost of accommodation. Deputy Cummins said: “The strategy places too much emphasis on increasing supply through the private sector, without […]

Figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) again point to Irish consumers being ripped off by energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The CSO published this morning that wholesale electricity prices last month were 23.3% lower than February 2025, and 14.9% […]

Social Democrats social protection spokesperson Eoin Hayes has written to the Tánaiste, urging him to include an emergency payment for people with disabilities in the package of cost-of-living measures that will be announced by the government tomorrow. Deputy Hayes said: “As the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon continue, surging gas and oil […]

The decision to reintroduce state exam fees, which would heap further pressure on families already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, must be reversed, according to Social Democrats education spokesperson Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins said: “The decision to bring back fees for students sitting the Junior and Leaving certificates sends the wrong signal to families who […]

The government must take urgent action to prevent price gouging by energy companies as the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore TD. Deputy Whitmore said: “There are reports today that the cost of home heating oil is already soaring. This is outrageous. Any company selling […]

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) provide further proof that consumers in Ireland are being ripped off by energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The game is finally up for opportunistic energy companies, with the CSO confirming that wholesale electricity prices […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore today attended an event to announce details of the Affordable Ireland Campaign’s cost-of-living demonstration march, which will take place in Dublin city centre on February 28. The campaign is backed by the Social Democrats and other Opposition parties, and includes various trade unions, students’ organisations, the Irish Traveller Movement and […]

Figures released today by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) further highlight the government’s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “Households around the country continue to struggle under the weight of soaring energy bills […]

Social Democrats food spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore will today introduce the Agri-Food Regulator (Amendment) Bill 2026, which would grant the AgriFood regulator greater powers to investigate price gouging. Speaking ahead of its introduction, Deputy Whitmore said: “Families around the country are enduring an immense struggle just to put food on the table, with prices for staples […]

More and more families are being priced out of essential goods as grocery costs continue to rise, according to Social Democrats food spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Everyday items continue to rise in price in supermarkets – the Consumer Price Index for December 2025 shows that butter, milk and bread, among other essentials, cost […]